Barack Obama on Principles & Values

 Ordinary people found the courage to keep the promise alive. (Aug 2008) The Ownership Society really means "you're on your own". (Aug 2008) Measure progress by observing how ordinary people are doing. (Aug 2008) Our government must keep the promise of America. (Aug 2008) Fulfilling America's promise means individual participation. (Aug 2008) To John McCain: We all put our country first. (Aug 2008) The Republicans make a big election about small things. (Aug 2008) The American promise is our greatest inheritance. (Aug 2008) We have to demand more from ourselves. (Jul 2008) GovWatch: Wears flag pin to deflect anti-patriotism critics. (Jun 2008) I revere the American flag; I don't refuse to wear flag pins. (Apr 2008) FactCheck: Yes, refused to wear a flag pin, last year. (Apr 2008) Actions can be seen in 20 years of my public service. (Feb 2008) Suggesting that I plagiarized Deval Patrick is silly. (Feb 2008) Wouldn't be running if I didn't think I was prepared. (Feb 2008) Don't seat MI & FL delegates; they're based on non-campaign. (Feb 2008) FactCheck: Ranked most liberal in Senate, based on 99 votes. (Feb 2008) The Clinton years were undeniably better than the Bush years. (Jan 2008) Turn the page on the failed politics & policies of the past. (Jan 2008) FactCheck: Obama praised GOP for having ideas, not GOP ideas. (Jan 2008) Objected to Republican ideas; did not compliment them. (Jan 2008) Made the right decisions that were not politically popular. (Jan 2008) Ran for Congress in 2000 & lost. (Nov 2007) Gave away all Rezko "boneheaded" donations to charity. (Nov 2007) 2 years older than JFK when JFK ran for president. (Nov 2007) On "inexperience": he wrote policy books that media ignores. (Oct 2007) Don't know if life beyond earth; focus on life here on earth. (Oct 2007) Registered 150,000 young Chicago area black voters in 1992. (Oct 2007) Criticizes voter cynicism from decades of disappointment. (Oct 2007) Voted with Democratic Party 96.0% of 251 votes. (Sep 2007) The Plan: Raise Obama's profile, including African adventure. (Aug 2007) Assigned RFK's Senate desk; invokes RFK regularly. (Feb 2007) Hopefund PAC donated $500K to Democratic Senate candidates. (Nov 2006) Convention speech understood country yearns for unity. (Oct 2006) Post-1960s politics more about moral attitude than issues. (Oct 2006) Americans dislike partisanship--not solution like Dems think. (Oct 2006) Enlist the American people in the process of self-government. (Jan 2006) Unflinching progressive but ok to downstate conservatives. (Jul 2004) Be strong or be clever and make peace. (Aug 1996) Guilt is a luxury that not everyone can afford. (Aug 1996)

Campaign Themes

 We're more decent & compassionate than last 8 years. (Aug 2008) The destiny of all Americans is inextricably linked. (Aug 2008) ¡Sí, se puede! Yes, we can!. (Jun 2008) Key issue is McCain following Bush on war & economy. (Jun 2008) Go beyond the divisions so that the government can work. (Feb 2008) Life experiences taught me how to bring people together. (Feb 2008) People understand we must bring the country together. (Feb 2008) I have shown the right judgment to lead. (Feb 2008) Labels like "most liberal" prevent problem-solving. (Feb 2008) Overcome politics of demonizing opponents. (Jan 2008) Focus on Iraq, revising presidential power, and healthcare. (Dec 2007) If you join me I promise you we can change America. (Dec 2007) Resounds with American theme of overcoming burden of history. (Nov 2007) Cultivates comparison to Jack Kennedy. (Nov 2007) Campaigns assiduously in black churches. (Nov 2007) Viral video "I Got a Crush on Obama" by Obama Girl. (Nov 2007) Community politics: merges Alinsky & political activism. (Oct 2007) Apply lessons from both Goldwater and McGovern. (Oct 2007) Invites supporters to join him on "This Improbable Quest". (Oct 2007) Resolve "most electable" vs."most progressive" by being both. (Oct 2007) Turn the page: invite GOP & independents to join in agenda. (Sep 2007) Seen as both critical outsider and establishment insider. (Aug 2007) People have an urgent desire for change in Washington. (Jul 2007) A "hopemonger", having seen the power of hope. (Jun 2007) Washington can change if we say: Yes we can. (Mar 2007) Replace partisan bickering with politics of hope. (Feb 2007) On cover of Time magazine, about his book & presidency. (Oct 2006) Portrayed as a multiplier instead of a divider. (Oct 2006) Progressives should recognize common morality with religion. (Oct 2006) "Audacity of Hope" to change politics to reflect common good. (Oct 2006) Seek common ground, not a moral crusade. (Oct 2004) Offer real hope-not blind optimism-to the American people. (Jul 2004) I'm living my parents' dreams and the American dream. (Jul 2004) Greatness based on Declaration of Independence, not military. (Jul 2004) We are one people all defending the United States of America. (Jul 2004) Want common-sense solutions, not liberal-conservative labels. (Jul 2004)

 GovWatch: "Worked his way thru college" meant 2 summer jobs. (Jul 2008) FactCheck: Took Rezko's donations, but never represented him. (Jan 2008) "Dreams From My Father" is an archetypal search. (Dec 2007) Obama REPRESENTS something; doesn't have to DO anything. (Dec 2007) Won Grammy for recording "Dreams from My Father". (Nov 2007) Real estate deal with felon was "boneheaded" but ethical. (Oct 2007) First major politician of the post-Baby Boom generation. (Oct 2007) Most decisive moment: transition from high school to college. (Aug 2007) High school jock--played football as defensive lineman. (Aug 2007) Goal as youth: Leave the world a better place. (Aug 2007) Planned on presidency since well before 2004 Convention. (Aug 2007) Dreams from My Father originally about Harvard Law Review. (Aug 2007) Favorite authors: E. L. Doctorow & Shakespeare. (Aug 2007) To understand Obama, understand Hawaii's cultural mix. (Aug 2007) Father was first African exchange student at U. Hawaii. (Aug 2007) Met Michelle Robinson at law firm; married in 1990. (Aug 2007) A reformed smoker but occasionally burns one. (Mar 2007) Traces ancestry to Jefferson Davis, President of Confederacy. (Feb 2007) Personal story is basis of political desire to unite. (Feb 2007) Greeted as hero on visit to ancestral Kenya. (Feb 2007) Father died in car crash before Barack got to know him. (Feb 2007) Born in Hawaii; lives on Chicago's South Side. (Nov 2006) Full name: Barack Hussein Obama; family calls him "Barry". (Oct 2006) First black president of the Harvard Law Review. (Jul 2004) Mother attacked for playing with a black girlfriend. (Aug 1996) Poverty of political organizers was proof of their integrity. (Aug 1996)

 FactCheck: Did not say "I will stand with the Muslims". (Aug 2008) GovWatch: never a Muslim, but school listed him as Muslim. (Jun 2008) I joined church to commit to Christ, not to Rev. Wright. (May 2008) In hard times, people take refuge in traditions, God & guns. (Apr 2008) I am a person of faith; and I reach out to people of faith. (Apr 2008) Blacks are angry; but I dissociate myself from Rev. Wright. (Apr 2008) Religion is foundational; not clinging nor elitist. (Apr 2008) Rev. Jeremiah Wright helped bring me to Christianity. (Apr 2008) Exposure to Islam taught me that Muslims can partner with us. (Apr 2008) I am a proud Christian who believes deeply in Jesus Christ. (Jan 2008) Despite attack email, pledges Allegiance & uses Bible. (Jan 2008) Attends church with press, to dispel rumors that he's Muslim. (Dec 2007) Joined church that emphasized a "Black Value System". (Dec 2007) Madrassa myth perpetuated by false email & fabricated story. (Oct 2007) Uses prayer to take stock of his moral compass. (Oct 2007) Reach out to faith community;faith has role in public square. (Sep 2007) Active in the Trinity faith community. (Aug 2007) Carries Bible on campaign trail, & refers to it weekly. (Aug 2007) Embrace Christ as an ally. (Mar 2007) Source of his book title "Audacity of Hope" was a sermon. (Feb 2007) Raised secular, but with working knowledge of world religion. (Oct 2006) Baptized as an adult in the Trinity United Church of Christ. (Oct 2006) Religious concerns ok, if translated into universal values. (Oct 2006) There's a call to evangelize in politics. (Apr 2004) I'm a big believer in the separation of church and state. (Apr 2004) Spent time in both Muslim and Catholic schools. (Aug 1996)